Saturday, 7 June 2008

FuFu Tour GuideHiroshima + Osaka, 25 March 2007

On the 6th of August 1945, the nuclear weapon Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima directly killing an estimated 80,000 people. By the end of the year, injury and radiation brought total casualties up to 140,000. Ten of thousands of the city`s buildings were completely destroyed, nonetheless, the Atomic Bomb Dome was the closest structure to withstand the explosion.Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly known as Atomic Bomb Dome.

The building has been preserved in the same state as immediately after the bombing, and now serves as the reminder of nuclear devastation and as a symbol of hope for world peace and elimination of all nuclear weapons. It is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.

Atomic Bomb Dome, March 2007.It started raining when we reached the Atomic Bomb Dome in the morning. But since we were there, i brought them to the museum that describes Hiroshima before and after the bombings.Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

The Peace Memorial Museum exhibits also present the facts of the atomic bombing, with the aim of contributing to the abolition of nuclear weapons throughout the world, to achieve the world peace. The museum collects and displays belongings left by the victims, photos, and other materials that convey the horror of that event. It is one of the most popular of Hiroshima's destinations for school field trips from all over Japan and for people internationally too.Picture of Hiroshima City flattened after the explosionA section that focusing on the destruction caused by the after shocks of the blast.

War is the work of man.Was is the destruction of human life.War is death.To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future.To remember Hiroshima is to abhor nuclear war.To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to peace.

By Pope John Paul Ⅱ

Damage by the radiation which goes into details about the health effects suffered by humans.

Hiroshima is known for okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), so i chose it as our lunch. Okonomiyaki is cooked on a hot-plate and usually right in front of the customer, with various ingredients. The layers are typically egg, cabbage, bean sprouts, sliced pork/bacon with optional items (mayonnaise, fried squid, octopus, cheese, mochi , kimuchi, etc.), and noodles (soba or udon) topped with another layer of egg and a generous dollop of okonomiyaki sauce.

Okonomiyaki, topped with fried squid.

The Torii of Itsukushima Shrine at low tide, October 2006.

This torii at the Itsukushima Shrine welcomes visitors to the island.

I wanted to show them another World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine with its famous structures torii gate that appears to be floating at high tide. Due to the bad weather, i decided to go back Osaka earlier and had dinner with my Kyoto`s host mother.

My Kyoto`s host mother said my sister is Bijin, bet you think so as well.

My mum, Kyoto`s host mum, and god mum.

We had a great time although i need to be the interpreter from Japanese to Cantonese & Hokkien and vice versa. Four of them flew back to Malaysia on the following day. It was real a blast for me. I was dead exhausted showing them around Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe) and Hiroshima right three days after coming back from the United States, but i felt so happy as they are all my first guest.

My host mother is 78 years old, she is older than my granny.

Wish i had done my job and they had fun during their 6days5nights trip. So below are those highlights of the trip throughout the imperial capital Kyoto, ancient city Nara, metropolitan Osaka, vibrant city Kobe and atomic bombed city Hiroshima.

Stayed with Japanese family. Entered Japanese style castle, Nijyo Castle.Able to see Sakura, the weeping cherry tree.Visited Kyoto`s most famous tourist destination, Kinkakuji.

tony : yeah such a tragedy ya in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. erm, you cant real feel the atmosphere of the japanese inn in big city like Tokyo, anyway u really wanna stay at ryokan? i can help you to look for cheap yet good one

WHAT?! Your host mom is 78-year-old?! My mom looks as old as she does, but my mom is only 58! OMG!Really envy and jealous at what they're having: nice weather, high-technology in producing good skincare products, fresh water, mild sun, healthy eating habits......if there's a chance, I don't mind being a beggar on the street of Japan~ (*touch wood*)